Saturday mornings at Rocky Mountain Dog Training are like the puppy equivalent of an elementary school playground: Bursting with lively energy. Fluffy golden retrievers still growing into their big paws roughhouse with eager terriers and spry Chihuahuas. Balls and chew toys fly.

It might look like chaos, but for dog trainer Julie Parker, the sight of a room full of playful pups signals an important developmental milestone: Socialization.

Parker, owner of Rocky Mountain Dog Training, offers a puppy socialization class Saturdays at her facility on 117th Avenue. She believes so strongly in early socialization that she offers the class for free.

"It's the foundation for any training program," she said. "It's all about having positive experiences as a puppy.

Intended for dogs younger than 6 months, the socialization group aims to offer young puppies a safe environment in which they can meet other puppies, gain social skills and practice appropriate play. The playgroup helps dogs meet their peers, but it also exposes puppies to different types of humans, too.

Socialization is important because it helps dogs learn appropriate behavior during their early stages of development. Pets who are not properly socialized might become fearful or aggressive as they get older, or have problems in training classes, she said.

During a recent socialization event, outgoing dogs chased after balls, wrestled and nipped at each other, while shy puppies watched.

Trainers and owners kept an eye out to make sure things didn't get too rough.

"The first day he was here, he was afraid, but now he's meeting other dogs," she said, as she watched her dog curiously explore the room. "He doesn't shy away."

Wold said she used to have a Jack Russell Terrier named Frizbee, but the dog was feisty and had behavior problems.

"I wanted to do something different with PaZuZu," she said.

Cindy Rhodes brought her Welsh Terrier, CC, to help get her used to other dogs. Rhodes, who got CC as a show dog, said Welsh Terriers are adorable dogs, but are known for their attitudes. She hopes socialization and early training will help CC turn out to be as well behaved as she is cute.

"So many people just get a dog and throw it in the back yard, and that's not enough," she said.

While most of the dogs in the class are younger than 6 months, older dogs sometimes make an appearance to help guide the youngsters. During a recent Saturday class, Sabrina Wisner brought Monty, a purebred Lab. Introducing an older, larger dog is one way for puppies to get used to different breeds and temperaments, and Monty's gentle personality is well-suited for the class, she said.

Monty also is blind, which allows puppies to learn how to interact with disabled dogs.

"One of the biggest problems is when dogs are not exposed enough. They need different looks, different feels," said Wisner, who regularly fosters dogs. "The No. 1 problem we see in fostering is under-socialization, which can mean behavior problems. People give up on them too early."

Behavior problems are the biggest reason why pets end up in animal shelters, according to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, or AVSAB.

AVSAB recommends puppy socialization as early as 7- to 8-weeks-old, after the dog's first set of vaccines. Socialization is especially important in the first three months, when their desire to play with others outweighs fear.

The socialization class is one of several training programs Parker offers at her training center.

Parker worked with Great Dane rescue causes for 13 years and taught training classes for three years before opening the Rocky Mountain Dog Training facility in 2011. She is a former software engineer who felt dog training would help give back to the community while sharing her passion for pets.

"I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that I ended up here," said Parker, remembering her childhood bond with her pets.

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